Oct 7 2010
A strategic collaboration was made including Modulowatt Ingenierie and Valeo for developing AMARE, a mechanical coupling demonstrator driven by electricity, which helps in automated docking of a vehicle to an automated battery charging station. This robotic system was showcased at the Paris Motor Show, on the Modulowatt stand.
The automated connection of the vehicle to the charging station is facilitated by a robotic arm. Valeo’s detection system helps to place the vehicle exactly in front of the arm by identifying the charging areas either at the back of the vehicle which are already docked to the station or directly on a charging station.
As soon as the vehicle comes closer to the battery charging station, the front camera placed at the back of the central rearview mirror monitors the location and the target and helps to locate the vehicle in relation to the accurate connecting point which is the key determinant for the automated vehicle docking. Once the vehicle is connected to the charging station its battery is charged.
Source: http://www.valeo.com